Category: Mazda

By Barbara & Bill Schaffer In the five years since the Mazda CX-5 debuted we’ve reviewed it on a couple of different occasions, and each time we hated to see it go. It’s one of those vehicles that we feel would make a nice permanent addition to our garage. Recently we had a chance to…

“2017 Mazda MX-5 RF Grand Touring” Still a Miata – but in a Retractable Fastback Form The venerable Mazda MX-5 Miata made its world debut at the Chicago Motor Show back in February, 1987, with U.S. sales beginning in May of that year, and the popular diminutive two-seat, rear-wheel drive roadster has been going strong…

By Barbara & Bill Schaffer When we reviewed the Mazda MX-5 roadster about six months ago we reported that the distinctive new RF version was starting to arrive at dealerships. A couple of weeks ago the 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF arrived in our driveway, and we had a chance to see what the RF…

“2017 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD” An Exceptional 3-Row, 7-Passenger SUV Mazda’s CX-9 made its world debut back in 2006, and regardless of what category one chooses to place it in, it was recognized as one of the best SUV / Crossover / Minivan / Station Wagons in its class. Incidentally, the Mazda CX-9 is categorized…

By Barbara & Bill Schaffer Sometimes when we drive a new car the second time, we find that it’s not as good as we originally thought, or that the latest offering of competitors has jumped ahead. That is NOT the case for the 2017 Mazda CX-9. By looks alone, the Mazda CX-9 is a head…

By Barbara & Bill Schaffer If some group would give an award to a manufacturer for great design and engineering excellence over the last five years, it should go to Mazda. The entire Mazda lineup has been redesigned and re-engineered with striking designs and the brilliant Skyactiv technology. We think one of the best Mazda…

“2017 Mazda3 Grand Touring 5-Door” A stylish, economical SKYACTIV Hatch The Mazda3 continues its role as the Mazda brand’s most recognizable nameplate. It was the first vehicle in North America to launch Mazda’s breakthrough engineering and manufacturing philosophy SKYACTIV®1 TECHNOLOGY in 2012 that continues in the 2017 Mazda3 GT….

By Barbara & Bill Schaffer Just when we thought we’d found the best three-row crossover (the Audi Q7) a couple of months ago, the all-new Mazda CX-9 lands in our garage to drive for a week and forcing us to ask ourselves, ‘Is the Mazda better than the Audi?’ Good question. They both offer excellent…

“2016 Mazda CX-9” A Versatile and Sporty Crossover Mazda’s CX-9 made its world debut back in 2006, and regardless of what category one chooses to place it in, it was recognized as one of the best SUV / Crossover / Minivan / Station Wagons in its class. Mazda incidentally, categorizes the CX-9 as a 7-passenger,…

By Barbara & Bill Schaffer Shelton, Wash. – One of our favorite events each year is the annual Northwest Automotive Press Association’s (NWAPA) Mudfest. We were involved in the creation of the annual SUV evaluation and have participated in a majority of the programs during the event’s 22-year history. Mudfest has evolved through the years…